Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has condemned the remand of activist and journalist, Omoyele Sowore in Kuje Prison. Describing the development as a dangerous sign of democratic backsliding and calling on authorities to protect Sowore’s constitutional rights.
In a strongly worded statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday, Obi said he received the news with deep concern and cautioned against any pattern in which the state institutions appear to be deployed to suppress dissent and shrink civic space.
“A thriving democracy does not survive on the silencing of opposing voices,” Obi said, “rather, it is anchored on the robust protection of fundamental human rights, most notably the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, as enshrined in our Constitution.”
The former governor drew a distinction between treating activists and citizens’ critics as accountability partners versus treating them as threats to state survival, warning that the latter path leads to authoritarianism.
He argued that Nigeria’s current challenges, including economic hardship and insecurity, demand inclusive dialogue and nation-building, not the imprisonment of those who advocate for a better society.
“When we begin to treat citizen critics, activists, and journalists as threats to state survival rather than as partners in building accountability, we signal a dangerous slide toward authoritarianism,” his statement read.
He called on relevant authorities to ensure strict adherence to the rule of law, the full protection of Sowore’s constitutional rights and the impartial use of security and judicial institutions. “We cannot build a new Nigeria if we continue to undermine the very democratic structures meant to protect us all,” he added.
Sowore, founder of online newspaper, Sahara Reporters, and perennial opposition figure, has faced repeated run-ins with Nigerian authorities over the years, including a high-profile detention in 2019 on treason charges. His latest remand has drawn criticism from civil society groups and opposition voices across the country.
